Police have good leads' in death of Sterling Heights woman

As police continue their investigation into the shooting death of Jennifer Scavone, family and friends are preparing to say farewell to the 33-year-old working mother from Sterling Heights.

Scavone’s body was found in her bullet-ridden GMC Yukon SUV on the shoulder of northbound Interstate 75 near Mack Avenue in Detroit about 3:40 a.m. Saturday, a few hours after she got off work at a Greektown nightclub. She died from multiple gunshot wounds, according to an autopsy conducted by the Wayne County Medical Examiner’s Office.

Michigan State Police investigators say they are waiting for the results of subpoenaed cell phone records and other evidence under review as they zero in on who they believe killed her.

“We’re following some good leads,” Lt. Michael Shaw said Wednesday, adding police are staying in constant touch with Scavone’s family and her fiance.

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“We are keeping the family apprised of what we’re doing. We don’t want to make any mistakes and take a chance on losing the case because we rushed into something.”

Scavone was driving home from her job as a server at Bouzouki bar in Greektown when she was attacked. A state courtesy patrol driver discovered the vehicle on the shoulder with the engine idling.

Hours earlier on Friday, the father of one of her sons was in Erie County, Ohio, to enter a guilty plea to charges of assaulting an 11-year-old relative and forcing the child to grope him during a 2012 trip to Cedar Point amusement park. Scavone was listed in court records as a witness in the case.

The father, Josef Zbercot of Roseville, was released on bond and will serve 60 days in jail in March. He also will have to register as a sex offender in Ohio. He and Scavone had been locked in a lengthy, contentious child custody dispute over their son in Macomb County Circuit Court.

Shaw would not label Zbercot as a person of interest in the case — “We don’t use that term,” he said — but added that the court case was “definitely an angle” police had looked at. He said detectives have not interviewed Zbercot, but they have talked to Scavone’s family including her fiance, Keven Finley.

Meanwhile, Scavone’s family and friends will gather this weekend for funeral services at Wujek-Calcaterra & Sons in Sterling Heights.

Scavone, a native of Roseville who was known as Jennie, is being recalled as an warm, outgoing and caring friend, hard worker, and devoted mother to her sons, and who loved her fiance. The two, who met while working at National Coney Island, had recently purchased a house in Sterling Heights.

“She was the greatest person you could imagine,” said Tanya Lynn Herfi, who used to work with Scavone at Bouzouki. “She had a big heart. She just stood out from everyone else because of her personality. I still can’t believe what’s happened.”

More than two dozen people shared their memories of Scavone on the funeral home’s online guestbook.

“I don’t know how we will all move on. I don’t how life will be without you. I will miss your big hugs, your smile, your voice, your eyes, your great talks.” — Kristal Shepherd, a friend from Madison Heights.

“You were the sweetest, most kindest woman I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing. I’m still in shock over this, my heart just breaks for your family. You were so very sweet to my children when they were in your care. I never had a worry when you were taking care of my children.” — Dawn Massey Adragna, a friend from Eastpointe.

“The world has lost a very special soul. Jennie always had a smile on her face and an open heart. She brought tremendous happiness to everyone she encountered.” — Paige Peltier, a friend.

In addition to her fiance, Scavone is survived by her children, Derek, MacKenzie, Zachary and Cody; her parents, Arthur and Joanne Scavone; brothers, Michael (Diana) Scavone and Steven Scavone; grandparents, Margaret (the late Arthur) Scavone and William (Pauline) VanPeeren; and other aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at Wujek-Calcaterra & Sons, 36900 Schoenherr, Sterling Heights. Visitation is 2-9 p.m. Friday and 9-10 a.m. Saturday.

Anyone with information on her slaying is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-Speak-Up.